Chronic Administration of Visfatin Ameliorated Diabetic Nephropathy in Type 2 Diabetic Mice

Background/Aims: Visfatin is a known adipokine which may improve insulin resistance in obesity and have an anti-diabetic effect via the insulin receptor. We studied the effects of visfatin on diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetic mice. Methods: Diabetic male db/db mice were treated with intraperitoneal injections of visfatin. Basal parameters were measured in all mice and glucose tolerance test (GTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT) were performed in diabetic mice. The histopathological and molecular changes were evaluated in diabetic nephropathy. Results: Visfatin treatment had no effect on body weight, water and food intake, urinary volume, blood glucose, and HbA1c level. However, visfatin improved HOMA-IR, GTT, ITT and decreased plasma insulin and visfatin level, but not adiponectin level. Plasma cholesterol and triglyceride level were also improved by visfatin treatment. Significantly, visfatin decreased albuminuria in diabetic mice. Glomerulosclerotic change and mesangial expansion in the kidneys were significantly reduced. In addition, visfatin inhibited the expression of proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines such as MCP-1, TGFβ1, type IV collagen, and PAI-1. The enzymes related to lipid metabolism in the kidney, HMG-CoAR was suppressed by visfatin treatment, whereas FXR and ABCA1 were significantly elevated by treatment. Conclusion: Visfatin might have a protective effect in diabetic nephropathy without the hypoglycemic effect.